Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied in May 1979 due to the RO's incorrect application of the law, specifically regarding the use of 'permanently' in determining unemployability. The Board found that the correct facts were not considered and that there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and opinion regarding his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and residuals of ganglion cyst. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, as well as his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for various knee and ankle conditions, as well as a wrist injury. The Board found that the evidence supported these findings.

The Veteran is precluded from substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and hypothyroidism. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether he is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran was service-connected for PTSD, a left wrist fracture, and a right hand fracture prior to December 16, 2007. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation during this period.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hip, right knee, and left wrist disorders are not related to service or a service-connected disability. The hypertension was rated at 10% but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right or left carpal tunnel syndrome, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to her active service. The preponderance of the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides and/or chemicals. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for psychiatric disability, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability. The claims were previously denied on the basis that there was no evidence of current disabilities. New evidence received since May 2010 does not show a chronic disability in either or both wrists.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability and right wrist disability are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability claimed as arthritis, an initial compensable rating for residuals of a laceration of the right wrist, and an initial compensable rating for residuals of a stab wound to the abdomen. The appeal to reopen service connection for HIV infection was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right hand disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board found that the criteria for an increased rating were not met for the Veteran's right wrist disability prior to September 8, 2014 and denied his claims for increased ratings as of this date. The claim for a compensable rating for his right wrist scar was granted. The Board also determined that new and material evidence had been submitted in order to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a back disorder. However, the Board found no basis to grant service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. Additional examinations are needed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and granted it, finding that there is at least as likely as not that his current osteoarthritis of the right knee is related to his active service.

The Veteran's right wrist disability sustained in service has been granted, and he is entitled to a rating for his thumb and index finger disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist and left femur disabilities warrant a rating of 10 percent each, effective as of the date of the decision.